去卵巢大鼠骨质疏松对下丘脑雌激素α受体的影响

目的 观察去卵巢雌性大鼠骨质疏松对下丘脑雌激素α受体(estrogen receptor alpha,ERa)及基基因表达的影响。方法 将45只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、假手术对照组和去卵巢组,用免疫组织化学方法和原位杂交方法检测下丘脑ERa及其mRNA表达。结果 去卵巢组ERa受体及其mRNA阳性细胞与对照组比较显著减少(P<0.01)。结论 下丘脑ERa受体及其mRNA阳性细胞的减少可能在绝经后骨质疏松发生起重要作用。     

Proteins synthesized in medial hypothalamus and transported to midbrain in estrogen-treated female rats

Summary Results on the anatomy of ventromedial hypothalamic outputs, together with the temporal aspects of electrophysiological studies, predict that for reproductive behavior control sex steroids alter hypothalamic protein synthesis and transport of proteins to the dorsal midbrain. We have studied labeled proteins arriving in the dorsal midbrain after local microinjection of tritiated amino acids to the ventromedial hypothalamus. Estrogen treated and control ovariectomized female rats are significantly different in this respect, and in particular some proteins appear to be synthesized or transported in greater amounts in the estrogen treated animals. Physical characterization of these proteins and comparisons under a variety of endocrine conditions will suggest whether their synthesis could be part of the mechanism by which ovarian steroids affect behavior.     

高甘油三酯对去卵巢大鼠股骨RANKL/OPG mRNA表达的影响

目的:探讨高甘油三酯(TG)对去卵巢大鼠股骨核因子-κB受体活化因子配体/护骨素(RANKL/OPG)mRNA表达的影响及非诺贝特的作用。方法:将3月龄雌性SD大鼠40只,用果糖饲养复制高TG模型,大鼠分为4组:(1)去卵巢+果糖组;(2)去卵巢+果糖+非诺贝特(FF)组;(3)去卵巢+普食组;(4)假手术+果糖组。12周后取股骨检测RANKL/OPG mRNA表达水平。结果:(1)去卵巢+果糖组的TG水平高于去卵巢+普食组(P0.01),也高于去卵巢+果糖+FF组(P0.01);(2)去卵巢+果糖组RANKL/OPG mRNA水平,均高于去卵巢+果糖+FF组、去卵巢+普食组和假手术+果糖组(P0.01或P0.05)。结论:高果糖饮食可以诱导去卵巢大鼠形成高甘油三酯血症,后者使股骨组织中RANKL/OPG mRNA增加;非诺贝特可降低TG,保持RANKL/OPG mRNA的平衡。     

低载荷机械振动对去势大鼠骨组织成骨相关蛋白表达情况的影响

目的通过对去势大鼠加载不同时段的低载荷机械振动,探讨不同的振动持续时间对骨质疏松大鼠骨组织成骨相关蛋白表达的影响。方法 6个月龄雌性Wistar大鼠24只,随机分为8周去势对照组(C8)、12周去势对照组(C12)、8周振动组(V8)和12周振动组(V12)。所有大鼠接受去势手术1周后开始实施振动试验,对V8组与V12组大鼠分别加载35 Hz、0.25 g的低载荷机械振动,每天15 min;去势对照组不做处理。8周与12周后分两批断颈处死大鼠,采用Western blot技术检测各组大鼠成骨相关蛋白BMP-2、p-ERK、Runx2、OCN的表达。结果低载荷机械振动能够显著上调去势大鼠骨组织BMP-2、p-ERK、Runx2和OCN的蛋白表达水平(P<0.01),随着振动时间的延长,V12组较V8组蛋白含量分别增加了22.61%(P<0.05)、27.96%(P<0.01)、25.85%(P<0.01)、27.05%(P<0.01);去势对照组间各蛋白表达水平无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论低载荷机械振动能够上调骨组织成骨相关蛋白的表达水平,并随着振动时间的增加显现出更为优越的成骨作用。     

Glutamate in hypothalamic and limbic structures of diestrous, proestrous, ovariectomized and ovariectomized estrogen-treated rats

Concentrations of glutamic acid were determined in the nucleus accumbens (ACB), medial preoptic area (MPO), anterior and posterior mediobasal hypothalamus (AMBH, PMBH) and mediocortical amygdala (AMY) of diestrous (D), proestrous (P), ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX rats treated with estradiol-benzoate (EB) 12 h and 24 h before decapitation. Significant changes of glutamate concentrations were found in the ACV and PMBH. Glutamate is reduced in OVX when compared to D, P and OVX-EB rats. No significant changes of glutamate concentrations could be detected in the MPO, AMBH, and AMY.     

同型半胱氨酸经甲基化修饰下调去卵巢大鼠主动脉雌激素受体α基因的表达

目的观察同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)对大鼠雌激素受体α(ERα)基因表达和其启动子CpG岛甲基化的影响。方法高效液相色谱仪检测血浆Hcy水平;RT-PCR和甲基化特异性PCR(MSP)分别检测ERαmRNA表达水平及基因启动子CpG岛的甲基化状态。结果去卵巢和给予甲硫氨酸饮食均可升高大鼠血浆Hcy水平。去卵巢和Hcy均可使大鼠ERαmRNA表达减少,但5′-Aza可使细胞ERαmRNA表达增多。假手术组大鼠主动脉ERα基因启动子有2例(20%)存在甲基化,去卵巢组有3例(30%)存在甲基化,而去卵巢 Hcy组有6例(60%)存在甲基化,对照组细胞ERα启动子CpG岛完全去甲基化,Hcy组细胞甲基化增强,5′-Aza使细胞去甲基化。结论Hcy可经甲基化修饰方式下调去卵巢大鼠主动脉ERαmRNA表达。     

Site-specific regulation of gene expression by estrogen in the hypothalamus of adult female rats

Estrogen plays critical roles in the neuroendocrine system of adult female rats through separate actions, respectively, in the preoptic area (POA) and the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH). Seven-week-old rats were treated with/without estrogen after they were ovariectomized, and four estrogen-responsive, neuronal system-related genes, encoding alpha4 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (Chrna4), GABA_A receptor delta (Gabrd), serotonin receptor 6 (Htr6), and GABA transporter 2 (Slc6a13), were investigated by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analyses to examine their differential regulation by estrogen between the anterior part containing POA and the posterior part containing VMH. We further examined Bax, Bcl2, and Prkce, the former two genes to be involved in the gene expression network of Chrna4 and the latter gene, that of Gabrd. The regulation of Bax and Bcl2 by estrogen differed between the anterior and posterior parts. The results demonstrated differential regulation of these neuronal system-related genes by estrogen between the anterior and posterior parts of the hypothalamus and suggested the roles of gene expression networks for the respective genes in the neuroendocrine system of adult female rats.     

雌激素对去势大鼠髁突软骨雌激素受体基因表达的影响

目的探讨不同浓度的雌二醇(E2)对去势大鼠髁突软骨雌激素受体(ER)基因ERα和ERβ表达的影响。方法将SD大鼠分为对照组(control)、假手术组(sham)、去势组(OVX)、及时和延迟替代治疗组(OVX/17β-E2),每天静脉注射不同浓度雌二醇(5×10、5×10~2和5×10~3μg/kg),阴道上皮脱落细胞涂片监测雌激素水平,用Western blot和real-time PCR法检测大鼠颞下颌关节髁突软骨ERα和ERβ的蛋白及mRNA表达。结果去势大鼠阴道上皮细胞MI指数180/12/8,表明雌激素水平低下(P0.05)。及时补给生理浓度雌二醇(5×10~2μg/kg)能维持髁突软骨ER于正常范围,延迟补给生理浓度雌二醇不能恢复或改善ER表达;及时和延迟补给高浓度(5×10~3μg/kg)及低浓度(50μg/kg)E2均抑制ER蛋白和mRNA合成(P0.05),且高浓度效应显著。结论及时补充合理浓度的雌激素对去势大鼠颞下颌关节的正常生理功能具有重要意义。     

芹菜素治疗去卵巢骨质疏松模型大鼠的作用与剂量

文题释义： 芹菜素：主要存在于瑞香科、马鞭草科、卷柏科植物中,如芫花,卷柏中含量较大。芹菜素属于黄酮类,具有抑制致癌物质的致癌活性;作为治疗HIV和其他病毒感染的抗病毒药物;MAP激酶的抑制剂;治疗各种炎症;抗氧化剂;镇静、安神;降压。与其他黄酮类物质(槲皮素、山奈黄酮)相比具有低毒、无诱变性等特点。 骨密度：全称是骨骼矿物质密度,是骨骼强度的一个重要指标,以g/cm³表示,是一个绝对值。在临床使用骨密度值时由于不同的骨密度检测仪的绝对值不同,通常使用T值判断骨密度是否正常。T值是一个相对值,正常参考值在-1和+1之间。当T值低于-2.5时为不正常。骨密度,是骨质量的一个重要标志,反映骨质疏松程度,预测骨折危险性的重要依据。 背景：研究证实芹菜素具有抗病毒、抗炎、抗氧化、镇静安神等功效。 目的：研究不同剂量芹菜素对大鼠骨质疏松的疗效并探讨其机制。 方法：实验方案经南方医科大学动物实验伦理委员会批准。成年雌性SD大鼠42只,通过卵巢切除法建立大鼠骨质疏松模型,实验分为7组,每组6只大鼠,分别为假手术组、芹菜素20,40,60和80 mg/kg组、对照组、阳性对照组。假手术组未摘除卵巢,阳性对照组每天灌胃烯雌酚(0.02 mg/kg)、维生素D和钙;对照组给予同等量纯净水皮下注射;芹菜素各组分别给予相应剂量的芹菜素皮下注射;1次/d,用药8周。分别检测干预后第4周和第8周大鼠股骨密度和血清中钙、磷、骨碱性磷酸酶、Ⅰ型前胶原氨基末端前肽、β-Ⅰ型胶原C-末端肽的水平。 结果与结论：①与对照组比较,芹菜素剂量为40,60和80 mg/kg时,大鼠的骨密度、血清中钙、磷在第4周和第8周时均较高(P < 0.05),Ⅰ型前胶原氨基末端前肽、β-Ⅰ型胶原C-末端肽、骨碱性磷酸酶较低(P < 0.05);②与阳性对照组比,芹菜素剂量为60 mg/kg和80 mg/kg时,大鼠的骨密度、血清中钙、磷和骨碱性磷酸酶、Ⅰ型前胶原氨基末端前肽、β-Ⅰ型胶原C-末端肽在第4周和第8周时均无明显差别(P > 0.05),剂量为 20 mg/kg和 40 mg/kg时,骨密度、血清中钙、磷、均比阳性对照组低(P < 0.05),Ⅰ型前胶原氨基末端前肽、β-Ⅰ型胶原C-末端肽比阳性对照组高(P < 0.05);③对照组和假手术组比较,在第4周和第8周时大鼠骨密度、 血清中钙、磷均比较低(P < 0.05),Ⅰ型前胶原氨基末端前肽、β-Ⅰ型胶原C-末端肽均比较高(P < 0.05);④结果说明,去卵巢法建立大鼠骨质疏松模型确实有效;芹菜素对骨质疏松的治疗作用和剂量相关,一定剂量的芹菜素具有类似烯雌酚样的抗骨质疏松效果。 ORCID: 0000-0002-9167-5286(赖丽金) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

Anxiolytic property of estrogen related to the changes of the monoamine levels in various brain regions of ovariectomized rats

Anxiety is a symptom reflecting the dysregulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitters which may be modulated by estrogen. In our current study, we investigated the effects of chronic estrogen administration (10 microg/kg, s.c. for 4 weeks) on anxiety-like behavior using the elevated plus-maze with the corresponding changes of monoamines in the brain regions contributing to anxiety. The behavioral test revealed that estrogen-treated rats (Ovx+E(2)) spent more time in the open arm of the maze as well as a higher time/entry ratio in open arms than ovariectomized (Ovx) rats, indicating an anxiolytic property of estrogen. The increase in open arm time corresponded to an increase in uterine weight, indicated a correlation between the function of estrogen and its anxiolytic effect. Measurements of brain monoamines following estrogen treatment revealed decreases in norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in all of the brain regions studied, which also lead to an increase in turnover rates. The concentrations of norepinephrine in caudate putamen, of dopamine in nucleus accumbens, of serotonin in frontal cortex, hippocampus, caudate putamen, nucleus accumbens, and substantia nigra and of the serotonin metabolite, the 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid in substantia nigra of Ovx+E(2) rats were significantly lower than those of Ovx rats. Interestingly, the uterine weight was negatively correlated with the changes of dopamine and serotonin (with the exception of the hippocampus), suggesting a regulatory role of estrogen on these systems. From these data, we concluded that, in fact, there is a relationship between estrogen and monoamines (i.e. serotonin, dopamine) in modulating the anxiety-like behaviors in female rats.     

金雀异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠认知能力的影响

目的　观察金雀异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠学习记忆的影响 ,寻找替代雌激素用于防治女性更年期后神经退行性变的药物。方法　 32只 3月龄雌性SD大鼠随机分为 4组 :假手术组 (0 9%NS 5 0 μl)、去卵巢对照组 (0 9%NS 5 0 μl)、金雀异黄酮组 (Gs2 5 0 μg)、苯甲酸雌二醇组 (EB 5 0 μg)各 8只 ,皮下注射给药 ,隔日一次 ,用Morris水迷宫检测大鼠空间学习记忆能力。 结果　金雀异黄酮组前 4次和后 5次的平均逃避潜伏期 ( x±s)分别为 (2 3 34± 7 2 9)s和 (8 5 4± 1 87)s;空间探索试验中大鼠穿越平台的次数为 6 0 0± 1 1 0次 ;与OVX组相比具有显著性差异 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　金雀异黄酮可提高去卵巢大鼠的空间学习记忆能力     

去卵巢大鼠骨密度变化与骨髓组织血管生成的关系

目的： 探讨去卵巢大鼠骨密度变化与骨髓组织血管生成的关系。方法：30只SD雌性大鼠随机分为去卵巢组（OVX）和假手术组（sham）,分别在4周、8周和12周处死。取左侧股骨测量骨密度(BMD)。右侧远端股骨干骺端松质骨甲醛固定,EDTA-Na2脱钙。常规脱水、石蜡包埋、切片。行苏木素－伊红染色用于观察骨髓组织病理改变,用CD34标记血管内皮细胞观察微血管密度(MVD),采取大鼠腹主动脉血进行血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)测定。结果： 大鼠去卵巢8周后BMD明显低于假手术组, 提示骨质疏松模型建立,此时,骨髓造血组织容量减少,脂肪组织容量增高,与假手术组比较均有显著差异（P<0.01）,骨髓组织MVD与假手术组比略有减少。12周后,上述改变更为明显。同时,骨小梁容量减少,骨髓组织MVD明显减少（P<0.05）,且显示MVD与BMD、造血组织容量和骨小梁容量呈正相关,与脂肪组织容量呈负相关。但血浆VEGF含量测定OVX组与sham组间无明显差异,与骨髓组织各形态指标亦无相关性。结论：去卵巢大鼠在骨量丢失和造血组织容量减少的同时伴有骨髓组织MVD减少, 为骨质疏松症采用促微血管增生治疗提供了实验依据。     

不同剂量大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨密度和血脂影响的研究

目的探讨不同剂量的大豆异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠骨密度和血脂水平的影响.方法选用43只10w龄性成熟SD雌性大鼠行去势手术,2w后采用完全随机的方法分为5组:阴性对照组(溶媒花生油灌胃)、阳性对照组(戊酸雌二醇500ng/g·BW·d)、大剂量组(大豆异黄酮2500μg/g·BW·d)、中剂量组(大豆异黄酮500μg/g·BW·d)和小剂量组(大豆异黄酮50μg/g·BW·d).分别于给药前和给药6周后测量总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL),并测量腰椎和股骨的骨密度.结果给大豆异黄酮6周后,大、中、小剂量组和阳性对照组腰椎骨密度均高于阴性对照组;大剂量纽骨密度的增加,有显著性差异(P＜0.05);中剂量组骨密度增加的程度和阳性对照组(戊酸雌二醇组)相似,但与阴性对照组比较无显著性差异(P＞0.05);大豆异黄酮对股骨骨密度无明显影响.大鼠去卵巢后TC和LDL下降,给大豆异黄酮后使TC和LDL进一步下降,以大剂量组最为显著,中剂量组的作用与阳性时照组相似,小剂量组无作用.结论大豆异黄酮具有雌激素样作用,能增加去卵巢大鼠的腰椎骨密度,进一步降低由于去卵巢引起的血清TC和LDL下降,它的作用强度与剂量呈正比.因此大豆异黄酮的作用值得进一步研究,以确定它是否具有临床价值.     

Cocaine place conditioning increases pro-opiomelanocortin gene expression in rat hypothalamus

Recent research suggests an involvement of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene products in modulating cocaine reward and addiction-like behaviors in rodents. In this study, we investigated whether cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) alters POMC gene expression in the brain or pituitary of rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were conditioned with 4 injections of 0, 10 or 30 mg/kg cocaine (i.p.) over 8 days and tested 4 days after the last conditioning session. Another group received the same pattern of cocaine injections without conditioning. POMC mRNA levels in the hypothalamus (including arcuate nucleus), amygdala and anterior pituitary, as well as plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were measured. Cocaine place conditioning at 10 and 30 mg/kg doses increased POMC mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner in the hypothalamus, with no effect in the amygdala. Cocaine CPP had no effect on POMC mRNA levels in the anterior pituitary or on plasma ACTH or corticosterone levels. In rats that received cocaine at 30 mg/kg without conditioning, there was no such effect on hypothalamic POMC mRNA levels. Alteration of POMC gene expression in the hypothalamus is region-specific after cocaine place conditioning, and dose-dependent. The increased POMC gene expression in the hypothalamus suggests that it is involved in the reward/learning process of cocaine-induced conditioning.     

金雀异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠海马突触体素表达的影响

目的：研究金雀异黄酮对去卵巢大鼠海马突触体素的影响,以探讨金雀异黄酮对女性更年期后中枢神经系统退行性变的作用机制。方法：用免疫组化结合图像分析的方法,测量分析去卵巢后不同时间点以及给予金雀异黄酮替代治疗后海马CA1～3区辐射层和齿状回分子层突触体素免疫阳性产物的平均光密度变化。结果：去卵巢后大鼠CA1～3区辐射层和DG分子层突触体素免疫阳性产物的平均光密度值逐渐降低,4周后与假手术组和苯甲酸雌二醇组相比有显著差异;金雀异黄酮组治疗后海马突触体素免疫阳性产物平均光密度恢复。结论：金雀异黄酮能恢复去卵巢大鼠海马突触密度,延缓女性更年期后中枢神经系统的退行性变。     

雌激素替代治疗对中年卵巢切除大鼠大脑白质、海马内髓鞘及Lingo-1蛋白的影响

目的检测经短期雌激素替代治疗(ERT)后中年卵巢切除大鼠大脑白质及海马内髓鞘相关指标及Lingo-1的表达,探讨雌激素对髓鞘作用的可能机制。方法 24只中年雌性SD大鼠行双侧卵巢切除术(OVX)后,随机分为安慰剂治疗组(OVX+Veh组)和雌激素替代治疗组(OVX+E组)。ERT 1个月后,Morris水迷宫检测大鼠空间学习和记忆能力;从各组大鼠随机选取10只,透射电子显微镜观察大脑白质及海马内髓鞘的超微结构;Western blot检测大脑白质及海马内髓磷脂碱性蛋白(MBP)及Lingo-1的含量;免疫组化方法检测Lingo-1在大脑白质及海马的分布。结果 OVX+E组大鼠在定位航行实验中的潜伏期显著短于OVX+Veh组大鼠(P0.05);OVX+Veh组大鼠大脑白质和海马存在显著的髓鞘结构变性;OVX+E组大鼠大脑白质和海马中MBP的含量均显著高于OVX+Veh组(P0.05),而OVX+E组大鼠大脑白质和海马中Lingo-1的含量及分布均显著低于OVX+Veh组(P0.05)。结论1个月的ERT对中年卵巢切除大鼠的认知功能及大脑白质和海马内的髓鞘具有明显的保护作用,这种保护作用可能与雌激素下调大脑白质和海马内Lingo-1蛋白的表达有关。     

Effects of chronic central leptin infusion on proopiomelanocortin and neurotensin gene expression in the rat hypothalamus

Leptin signaling in the hypothalamus is critical for normal food intake and body weight regulation. While hyperleptinemia in obese people suggests a state of leptin resistance, the mechanism is not clearly understood. In a rat model of central leptin infusion in which animals develop resistance to the satiety action of leptin, orexigenic peptide producing neuropeptide Y neurons in the hypothalamus develop leptin resistance. However, it is still unknown if increased hypothalamic leptin tone caused by central leptin infusion results in the development of leptin resistance in anorexigenic peptide producing proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and neurotensin (NT) neurons. To this end, male rats were infused chronically with leptin (160 ng/h) or vehicle into the lateral cerebroventricle for 16 days. On day 4 of leptin infusion when food intake was decreased, POMC and NT mRNA levels, as determined by RNAse protection assay, were significantly increased as compared to control. By contrast, on day 16 of leptin infusion, when food intake was mostly normalized, both POMC and NT mRNA levels remained unchanged compared with control. These findings suggest the development of leptin resistance in the POMC and NT neurons following chronic elevation of hypothalamic leptin tone, which may be involved in the development of resistance to the satiety action of leptin following central infusion of this peptide hormone.     

Skeletal effects of magnesium deficiency in normal,ovariectomized, and estrogen-treated rats

The effects of magnesium deficiency in ovariectomized and estrogen-treated rats were examined in histological sections of bones and various soft tissues. The changes observed in the femora of intact rats deprived of magnesium for three weeks were: 1. a general increase in diaphyseal thickness, 2. the presence of localized fibrous or bony-like masses in subperiosteal and metaphyseal sites, and 3. the occurrence, although rare, of endosteal hyperplasia. In ovariectomized, magnesium-deprived animals, the incidence and location of fibrous masses were similar to that in the femora of magnesium-deficient intact rats; however, no increase in diaphyseal thickness was noted. Daily injections of 25 μg estradiol caused a reduction of the frequency of skeletal hyperplasia from 80% to 20%, as well as a reduction in femoral diaphyseal thickness. Estradiol hormone administration also brought about a marked alleviation of the dermal and neural manifestations of magnesium deficiency, but, at the same time, caused an exacerbation of renal calcinosis.     

Meal-stimulated increased concentrations of beta-endorphin in the hypothalamus of Zucker obese and lean rats

Increased opiate peptide concentrations in brain and plasma have been associated with increased feeding. The role of beta-endorphin in the control of food intake and obesity was examined by measuring concentrations in hypothalamus, pituitary and plasma of hungry (6-hr fasted) and satiated (5 min after a meal) Zucker obese and lean rats. beta-Endorphin concentrations (1) in satiated vs. hungry rats were increased in the VMH (90 vs. 79 pg/mg tissue, p less than 0.05) and decreased in the supraoptic nucleus (65 vs. 78 pg/mg tissue, p less than 0.05), (2) in obese vs. lean rats were decreased in the VMH (79 vs. 90 pg/mg tissue, p less than 0.05) and (3) in female vs. male rats were increased in the anterior hypothalamus (123 vs. 59 pg/mg tissue, p less than 0.01) and VMH (90 vs. 79 pg/mg tissue, p less than 0.05). Analysis of a phenotype by feeding condition interaction revealed that obese but not lean rats had higher beta-endorphin concentrations in the satiated vs. hunger condition. However, plasma beta-endorphin concentrations did not differ with feeding condition, phenotype or sex. Intermediate and posterior but not anterior pituitary beta-endorphin concentrations were lower in obese than lean rats. Thus, there is some evidence for a relationship between beta-endorphin concentration and feeding in the hypothalamus, but beta-endorphin concentrations in plasma do not appear to be influenced by feeding condition or obesity.